David O. Stewart

The National Constitution Center is a nonpartisan nonprofit chartered by Congress to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.

In this episode, I am joined by historian David O. Stewart to discuss his latest book, which examines the ideas from key documents and historical figures that shaped America.

We discuss how the founders sought to create a government strong enough to govern, but constrained enough to protect liberty.

We also explore the compromises and debates that shaped the Constitution and the early years of the new American Republic.

David O. Stewart is the author of five widely acclaimed books on American history, three best-selling historical mysteries, and two historical novels.

His latest, which we will discuss today, is The Democracy We Must Keep, Seven Founders, Nine Documents, and the Ideas That Shape America.

David, welcome back to We the People.

Well, thanks so much for having me.

Lisa Brady with more.

We're speaking with David O. Stewart, longtime trial and appellate lawyer, former newspaper reporter, and author of American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America.

Before we get to July of 1804, let's talk about the overlapping lives of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

Both were Revolutionary War veterans, brilliant New York attorneys, dominant political figures.

So the Civil War seemed to get that out of our system.

We stopped needing to have our political leaders engage in personal violence with each other, but until then, it, it kept up.

Wow, David O. Stewart, author of American Emperor: Aaron Burr's Challenge to Jefferson's America.

Thank you so much for your insights and your time.